According to Inspira, the move comes after a March announcement that both sides were discussing how the organizations could benefit from merging services.

Millville Rescue Squad CEO John Redden said the move would "absolutely be a benefit to the community" when addressing potential concerns from Millville residents over how coverage could change.

"Our service to the community will be equal to what it is now, or better than it's ever been," Redden told The Daily Journal. "Our goal and mission always is to maintain or improve our service to the community."

"Inspira will offer the same services — we were assured of this," Miller said. "It was one of our major issues, that there would be no change of services to the residents of Millville. 911 services, EMS services, if it's something that had been offered, it will continue to be offered."

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Inspira announced the purchase of the Millville Rescue Squad in Millville on Wednesday, August 16.(Photo: Justin Odendhal/Staff Photo)

Hospital and squad representatives had previously promised to honor existing agreements the squad has with Millville for coverage. The city gives the squad about $105,000 annually to support its work.

Millville City Commissioner Joseph Sooy said Wednesday the governing body still has to "work out the details" with Inspira.

"I have no reason to doubt what Mr. Redden said," said Sooy. "But we still need to see everything in black and white."

The entire Millville Rescue workforce of more than 200 people will be retained in the move. Inspira currently employs 134 people in its Emergency Medical Services and Transportation department, which services Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem and portions of Atlantic, Camden and Cape May counties.

"There will be zero layoffs," Redden said. "In fact, we anticipate expansion with additional hiring at some point."

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Inspira announced the purchase of the Millville Rescue Squad in Millville on Wednesday, August 16.(Photo: Justin Odendhal/Staff Photo)

Millville Rescue Squad workers already are considered Inspira employees, as the sale became effective immediately Wednesday.

“Inspira is committed to making this transition seamless to all of the people and agencies that are accustomed to the excellent services MRS has provided for decades,” John DiAngelo, president and chief executive officer of Inspira Health Network, said. “We will maintain existing services and explore opportunities for expansion to meet the growing and changing EMS and medical transport needs in our region. To all of our new employees from MRS, welcome to Inspira. We are excited that you have joined the team.”

Millville Rescue Squad, a nonprofit corporation, was founded in December 1958. Inspira said the squad has "provided tens of thousands of non-emergency medical transport trips for Inspira and its patients" for the last 18 years.

The rescue squad provided more than 40,000 transports in 2016, Inspira said.

“Both Inspira and MRS have a long history of providing excellent medical services to our communities,” Derella said in a statement. “This joining of forces will, over time, bring new and enhanced services to the people of South Jersey."

The rescue squad will continue to operate out of its current facility at 600 Cedar St. in Millville.

Miller said the board of directors would stay intact for the next eight to 10 months, or as needed, to handle any "lingering issues" before eventually dissolving.